Dispensing device for collapsible tubes



Dec. 27,1949 E. F. OLSEN DISPENSING DEVICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES I 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 12, 1948 INVENTOR W5 OLSEN Dec. 27, 1949 FiledAug. 12, 1948 E. F. OLSEN DISPENSING DEVICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES 3Sheets-Sheet 2 I'III IIIIIIIIIIIlIlIIII HTTH! Dec. 27, 1949 E. F. OLSENDISPENSING DEVICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 12,1948 mm a //v VEN ran. [10F FRnNTs oLsEn Patented Dec. 27, 1949DISPENSING DEVICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Elof F. Olsen, Brantford,Ontario, Canada Application August 12, 1948, Serial No. 43,867

13 Claims.

This invention relates to dispensing devices for collapsible tubes ofthe type generally used for containing liquids or pastes such astoothpaste, shaving cream and the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a dispensing device of thischaracter which is sanitary, dependable, simple to operate, inexpensiveto manufacture, of compact construction, of pleasing appearance, andeconomical to use.

It is another object of the invention to provide a dispensing device soconstructed and arranged that the operation of its mechanical componentsis independent of gravity, the device being therefore adapted to be usedin any position.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a dispensing devicehaving pressure plates arranged to receive a tube therebetween, andwhich will fully collapse the tube by gradual increments, means beingprovided in the device to index downwardly the pressure plates as thetube gradually flattens.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in a device of thischaracter a mechanical action whereby the pressure plates willautomatically open to allow the empty tube to be removed from the deviceafter its contents have been thoroughly ejected.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in a dispensingdevice of this character a discharge valve which will conveniently fitover the neck of tubes of any of the conventional designs and sizes.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a discharge valvewhich will normally remain closed and which will open only when the userapplies sufiicient pressure to the tube, by means of the mechanicalcomponents of the device, the said valve closing as soon as the pressureis released.

It is still another object of the invention to provide in a dispensingdevice of this character a casing which houses and supports themechanism and which is also constructed for easy loading and reloading.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent from a study of the followingspecification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein like characters of reference indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating particularly the outsideappearance of a dispensing device constructed in accordance with thisinvention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view, viewed from the rear, of the mainmechanical components of the device shown in Fig. l, the casing beingremoved.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, showingalso a collapsible tube and a valve mounted therewith.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, the casingbeing removed.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken through the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Figs. 6, '7, 8 and 9 are views similar to Fig. 5 showing the parts ofthe squeezing mechanism in various positions.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of the squeezing mechanism in itslowermost position when the finger bars are brought together as closelyas possible; and

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10, of the squeezing mechanism in itslowermost position when the finger bars are finally released.

For a better understanding of the invention, it should be mentioned atthis stage that exactly the same apparatus is shown in Figs. 5 through11, the sole difference in these figures being merely a change in therelative position of the parts. A horizontal reference line is drawnthrough each of Figs. 5 through 9, there being a point of discontinuityin the said horizontal line to indicate the advance of the squeezingmechanism. In Fig. 5 are indicated the paths followed by the finger barsas they are squeezed by the operator, the reference characters 6, 1, 8and 9 in the said Fig. 5 indicating the positions of the finger barswhen the various components of the squeezing mechanism are in theposition shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 respectively.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 through 5, the dispensing devicecomprises a hollow casing made of two die-cast or molded half-shells 20and 2|, the bottom walls of the said half-shells being provided withcutaway portions so that when the half-shells are in assembledrelationship, there is an opening in the said bottom wall in which maybe inserted a valve retaiining cover 22. In the front half-shell areprovided vertically disposed slots 23 and 24 through which extend theoperating levers of the squeezing mechanism. The two half-shells aresecured in assembled relationship by suitable spring clips 25, the twolower spring clips also providing tension which when transmitted throughthe casing halves 20 and 2! retains the cover 22 in its opening.

Removably mounted inside the casing are indexing bars 26 having notches32. The upper and lower ends of the indexing bars fit into recessesprovided in the top and bottom walls respectively of the half-shell 22,and they are securely held therein when rear half-shell 2| is securelymated with the front half-shell 2t.

Reciprocably mounted on the indexing bars are carriages El, 2 the saidcarriages being provided with guides 28, and the carriages being securedto each other for greater rigidity by bars 29 and 38. Adjacent the edgesof each carriage are indexing springs 3i the bent tips of which areadapted to engage any one of the notches 32 provided in the indexingbars. Mounted in a manner hereinafter described, between the carriages,is a front pressure plate 33 and a rear pressure plate at, the saidpressure plates having oppositely facing plano-convex surfaces, whichare serrated or otherwise treated so that they will engage the tubeinserted therebetween with a high degree of friction or traction.Secured to pressure plate 33 by means of knock-outs 35, is an indexingrod 35, and a similar indexing rod 31 is secured to pressure plate 34 bymeans of knock-outs 33. The extremities of the indexing rods 36 and "lengage in cam-shaped apertures and is providedat the front andrearrespectively of each of the carriagesfl, 21. The point ofdiscontinuityor 'notch39 and 40 in the lower edges of the cam-shapedapertures 39 and so should be particularly noted.

Generally triangular-shaped operating levers M are disposed transverseto the surface of the pressure plates andare secured to each other atone apex by a rod 42 which is .journalled in knock-outs 33 providedinipressure plate't i adjacent the lower edge thereof. Another pair ofsomewhat similar triangular-shaped operating levers 36 are similarlysecured to each other at one apex by a rod :45 which in turn isjournalled in knock-outs '45 provided in pressure plate '33 adjacent thelower edge thereof. The'triangularshaped operating levers areeffectively bell-crank levers, one apex ofeachoneoi the pairs oftriangular-shaped operating levers 4i and 44 being journalled aspreviously mentioned adjacent the lower edge of the respective pressureplates, and

a second apex of each one of thepairs of operating levers being joinedby finger bars and 48 respectively. The third apexes of operating levers"3! are joined by a bearing rod which comprises rod 49 around which isrotatably mounted a roller so adapted to roll against the rear face ofpressure plate 33, the movement of the said roller being limited byknock-out 51 provided in the said pressure plate which provides a stop.The third apexes of operating levers 44 are similarly joined by bearingrods comprising rod 52 around which is rotatably mounted a roller 53which is adapted'to'roll against the rear face of pressure plate 3 5,themovement of the said roller being limited by knock-out 54in thesaidipressur'e plate which provides a stop.

As will be 'observed'from the drawings and from the foregoingdescription, the mounting of the operating levers to the pressure plates'efiectively provides'a scissor action, the fulcrum-of the-scissors,namely therollerstc andfit, being movable.

The pressure plates normally tend .to close against oneanother due tothe provision of pairs of U-shaped springs the ends of which arerespectively secured to pressure plates *33 and 34 by means ofknock-outs 55 and 5?.

In a circular opening provided in the valve retaining cover 22 isinserted a hollow discharge valve 57 which ismade' of rubberorsimilarresilient material.

Thisdischarge valve has an an- 1 i 4 nular groove in its side walls toretain it in the cover 22 and is provided with a circular opening at oneend which is expandable to receive the usual neck 58 of a toothpastetube or the like as shown in Fig. 3, the other end of the valve beingprovided with a narrow slit 59. When sufiicient pressure is applied tothe tube 58, thereby forcing out the contents, the said contents will beejected through the slit as shown at (it in Fig. 1, but as soon as thepressure on the tube is removed the slits will automatically close dueto the natural resiliency of the rubber, thereby cutting oil the ribbonof paste being ejected.

Having described the mechanical components of the device, its operationwill now be described in detail with particular reference to Figs. 5

through 11 in numerical sequence.

In Fig. 5 the squeezing mechanism is shown in its normal position atrest, or in other words in the position which it assumes at all timeswhen the finger bars '4! and 43 are not subjected to any pressure. Themechanism is held in this position due to the tension provided byU-shaped springs 53;; acting on the upper ends of the pressure plates 33and 34 causing the said upper ends to tend to close towards each other,this closing tendency being limited by the upper ends of the springscoming to rest against the top ends of the carriages 21, 21.

It should be noted that when the mechanism is at rest, the tips of theindexing rods 36 and 37 are each resting in one of the notches 32 of theindexing bars 26. Moreover there is a fulcruming action of the pressureplates about these indexing bars. Since the upper ends of the pressureplates have a tendency to close towards each other, the lower ends willhave a tendency to spread apart due to the aforementioned fulcrumingaction, this spreading apart action being limited by the tubular rollers5e and 53 journalled on the rods 39 and 52 respectively, which tubularrollersare limited in their travel by the knockouts 5i and 54 providedin the pressure plates 33 and t i on which the said rollers travel. Itshould also'be noted that each one of the four indexing springs 35are'in th'is position in engagement with one of the notches 32 in theindexing bars 26.

The engagement of the springs 3! with the notches of the indexing barandthe engagement of the ends of the indexing rods '36 and 31 with othernotches of the indexing bars holds the squeezing mechanism firmly in itsnormal at rest position. The -mechanism being securely held by theseveral indexing springs 3i, the carriages 2?, 2? cannot move by gravityor by shock and therefore there isno danger of there being an untimelydischarge of the contents of the tube. Moreover since the pressureplates are spread slightly apart when they are in the normal at restposition, the tube of tooth paste or the like may be removed from thedispenser if it should be so desired, whether the said tube is fullydischarged or not; moreover since the tube is free between the pressureplates there is no danger of the contents of the tube untimelydischarging.

When the finger bars 4! and 43 are moved towards each other by thepressure of the users finger so as to discharge the contents of thetube, the finger bars of the mechanism will gradually reach the positionshown in Fig. 6. During the movement of operating levers M and 44 fromtheir position in Fig. 5 to their position in Fig. 6, the pressureplates 33 and 34 are subjected to pressure-by rollers 50 and 53, causingthe lower part of the plates to gradually close against the tube in aswinging motion. This swinging motion of the pressure plates takes placeabout the indexing rods 3'6 and 31 as fulcrums, and the mo-- tion isresisted by the tension of the springs 55 acting on the upper ends ofthe pressure plates. The scissor action of the operating levers 4| and44 causes the rollers 5i and 53 to bear against the pressure plates, thesaid rollers gradually moving upwardly on the curved back surfaces ofthe pressure plates. When finally the mechanism assumes the positionshown in Fig. 6, the tube is subjected to a definite squeezing actionbetween the pressure plates. It should be noted that in this position,the indexing rods 36 and 31 still engage the same notches 32 of theindexing bars 26 which they were engaging in the position shown in Fig.5, and moreover the indexing springs are still in engagement with theirrespective notches.

Under a continued finger pressure by the operator on the finger bars 41and 48, the parts of the squeezing mechanism will gradually move fromthe position shown in Fig. 6 to that shown in Fig. 7, the relativeoperation of the parts being as hereinafter described.

Since the pressure plates are now'in contact with the tube, the tubecauses greater resistance to the closing of the jaws than do theU-shaped springs 55, and thus the pressure plates will no longer fulcrumabout the indexing rods 36 and 31 but will fulcrum about theirconstantly changin line of contact about the tube. Thus the pressureplates start a rolling motion causing their line of contact with thetube to move a slight distance towards the discharge end of the tube,thereby flattening out the tube by a distance equal to the distance thesaid line of contact has moved. Simultaneously with this action of thepressure plates 33 and 34 and as a result of the continued pressure bythe operator on the finger bars 4'! and 48, the indexing rods 36 and 31will swing out of engagement with the particular notches 32 in the indexbars 26 and they will bear against the lower edges of cam-shapedapertures 39 and 43 which are provided in each of the carriages 21, 21.

During the motion of the squeezing mechanism from the position shown inFig. 6 to that shown in Fig. 7, it should be noted that the rollers 50and 53 travel further up along the back faces of the respective pressureplates while theyof course continue to press against the pressure platesas result of the pressure of the operator's fingers on the finger bars41 and 48. Thus the resulting force of the operators finger pressurecauses the finger bars to close more towards each other, and with thesaid rollers acting as fulcrums the lower ends of the pressure plateswhich are connected to the operating levers 4| and 44 by means of rods43 and 45 will be brought closer to each other. However, it is not thelower extremities of the pressure plates which bear against the tube ofpaste, but it is a higher part.

of the pressure plates which have this bearing action; thus a goodleverage action is provided.

When the mechanism gradually moves from the position shown in Fig. 7 tothat shown in Fig. 8, the indexing rods bearing against the lower edgesof the cam-shaped apertures will strike the points of discontinuity ornotches 39 and 40 in the said edges, and since the pressure plates arefrictionally gripping the tube whereas the carriages are merelyprevented from moving due to the engagement of the indexing springs 3|in some of the notches 32 of the indexing bars 26, the tension of theindexing springs will be overcome and the in'dexing' rods striking thenotches in the cam-shaped apertures will cause the said carriages tomove downwardly. Each of the four springs 3| will thus come to rest inengagement with the next lower notches 32 in the indexing bars 26.

Throughout the aforedescribed operations, the squeezing action of thepressure plates has been compressing the tube and therefore its contentswere being ejected in a narrow ribbon through the slit 59, as shown atin Fig. 1.

Assuming that after the operator has squeezed the finger bars to theextent shown in Fig. 8 he releases the said finger bars, the pressure onthe tube is immediately released and therefore the discharge of paste isinterrupted. Under the infiuence of the springs 55, the pressure plates33 and 34 and all the other parts of the mechanism are returned to theiroriginal position with respect to the carriages 21, 21 with theeXception that the indexing rods-35 and 31 will now be engaging notches32 one step lower than the notches that they were engaging prior to theoperator having ejected some paste from the tube. The mechanism willtherefore now be in the position shown in'Fig. 9. In this figure, themechanism is one step lower than it was as shown in Figs. 5-7, but theparts of the mechanism are in exactly the same relationship towards eachother as they were in the position shown in Fig. 5.

The subsequent operations of the mechanism are identical to theaforedescribed operations, each substantial squeezing of the finger barsby the operator causing the mechanism to move downwardly by one notch.However should the operator not squeeze the finger bars to an extentsufficient to make the mechanism assume the position shown in Fig. 8, orin other words should he interrupt the squeezing operation, the squeezinmechanism will return to the position which it originally assumed priorto the interrupted squeezing operation. Assuming therefore that theoperator releases the finger bars 41 and 48 when the squeezing mechanismhas reached the position shown in Fig. '7, the indexing rods 35 and. 3'!will not have reached a position where they will cause the carriages 21,2! to move downwardly. Therefore as soon as the operator's fingerpressure is released from the finger bars the indexing rods willrelocate themselves in their previous position. It should be noted thatduring the period of time however short after which the operator hasreleased the finger bars and the mechanism is returning to the positionsof rest shown in Fig. 5 or Fig. 9, the indexing springs 3! are thecontrolling factors which hold the mechainsm in a definite position.

It should at this point be explained that one particular feature of theconstruction of the device disclosed and claimed herein is that witheach squeezing operation the pressure plates au-' tomatically retracepart of the previously fiattened tube. This feature is the result of theinitial fulcruming of the pressure plates 33 and 34 about the indexingrods 36 and 81. Therefore at the initiation ,of a squeezing operationthe pressure plates will contact the tube at a location slightly shortof the extent to which the tube was flattened in the previous squeezingoperation. This feature insures a complete ironing out of the tube andtherefore a thorough ejection of its contents.

Fig, 8. HQwever shouldt user so desire he may pr s t em totheext nt sh nnFis- 10, c usin the. indexing rods 36, and 3 1 to reach the extremeposition of the cam shaped apertures 33 and 30. If the finger bars aresqueezed to that extent, a large quantity of tube content will bedischarged in. one. s ueeze, but this amount willv be greatly in. excessof; that. normally required. by the user. Thus, this extreme squeeze ingactionis therefore rarely if ever needed during the normal progressivedispensing of the contents of the tube, However this. maximum squeezingaction insures the user being able toeject from the tube its. completecontents when it. is squeezed the last time. During this last operation.lips 6| provided. atthe lower edges of the pressure plates. will gripthe tube against its neck and therefore any tendency that the pressureplatesmight have to slip back will be minimized;

When after the final, squeezing operation to collapse the tubetothefiullest extent practicable, the operator releases; the finger bars41 and 48 the, mechanism will assume, the position shown in Fig. 11, andit will be notedthat the pressure plates. are spread open to an extentgreater than normal. This is dueto the fact that the indexing rods 36and 3] come torest at 32 against theindexing bar 26; it will be notedthat at 32 the indexing bars, have n notches, and there. fore thepressure plates cannot close to their normal position; This. featureenables the empty tube to be more easily removed from the dis-. penser.Moreovenwhen, a new tubeis inserted in the dispenser its upper end, willengage the pressureplates and: if thetube is pushed further thecarriages 21, 21 will; be pushed back into the dispenser by the end of,the tube and the mechanism will be located at the correct position foruse.

It is thought that, the construction and use of the invention willbe;apparent from the above description of'the; various parts and theirpurpose.- It is to be-understood. that the form oftheinventionherewithshown and described is to be taken as a-preferred'example of the same and that various changes in. the shape, size andarrangement of parts may be'resortedto, without departingfrom the spiritof; the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim asm-y invention is:

1. A dispensing.- device for collapsible tubes comprising a pair ofcurved pressure plates disposed face to faceand arranged to receive acollapsible tube therebetween, two pairs of triangular levers, onelever-of each pair being atopposite' sides ofthe plates, finger barsconnecting one of the apexes of eachof. the two levers at one sideofthepress-ure plates to the corresponding apexes of the two leversattheotherside of the pressureplates, another apex ofone pair of leversbeingpivotally connected to thelowerend of one of the pressure-plates,another apex-of the other pair of; levers being pivotally connected tothe lower; end of the other; pressure plate, and the re-. m-a-ining apexof the levers of each pair fulcruming against the pressure plate; to thelower; end of which the levers 0f? the other pair are-- connected, sothat when the finger bars are pressed towards each other the lowerendsof the pressure plates close towards each other to collapse the tubetherebetween.

2. A dispensing device for collapsible, tubes somethin apai c lie d. presur p ates d nosed. fac o. race. and. arran d. o. receive a C0 lapsible.tube therebetweem a pair of, triangular* shaped levers, one. at. each,side of, the pressure, plates, each. lever having one apex. pivotallycon, nected to the lower end of one of the. pressure. plates, anotherapex connected by. a finger bar tothe corresponding apex of the otherlever, and a third apex connected by a. bearing rod to the correspondingapexoi the other lever, the said. bearing rod engagingthe back, of theother pressure, plate; another pair of triangular levers, one at eachside of the, pressure plates, each lever having one apex pivotallyconnected to the lower endof the said other, pressure plate, anotherapex connected by a finger. bar. to the corresponding, apex of the otherlover of the. pair, and a third angle connected by a, bearing. rod tothe corresponding angle oi v the other lever, said bearing, rod engagingthe. back oi the. pressure plate. to the lower endofiwhich thefirstmentionedpair of. pressure plates is connected; the, bearing. rod. ofeach, pair or levers providing a fulcrum about. which the levers pivot,wh n the. two finger barsv are pr ssed.towar sfeacn other. hereby.bringin the lower edges of the pressure plates closer to each other tocollapse the tube therebetweem 3. A dispensing device for collapsibletubes comprising a pair of curved pressure plates dis.- posed face toface and arrangedto receive a colap i l ube h r b tw en, two. pairs. oitrian l lar levers, oneleyer of'eaoh pair being at opposite. sides o tpiate nnse bars onnec in one oi; the apexes of each of the two levers atone side of the pressure plates to thecorresponding apexes. oi the twolevers at the oth r side of the pressure plates, another apex of each ofone pair ofjlevers.

being pivotally connected to the lower end of one of the pressureplates, another apex of. the other, pair of levers being pivotallyconnected to the lower end, of the other pressure plate, and theremaining apex of'eachof' the levers, of each pair being connected by abearing rod Whichis adapted to engage and fulcrum against the back ofthe, pressure plate to the lower end of which, the levers of the other.pair are connected, so that. when the two finger bars are pressedtowards eachv other the pressure plateswill roll on each other as theirlower ends close towardseach other.

4. A dispensing device for collapsible tubes. comprising apair of;curved pressure plates disposed face to face and arranged to receive acollapsible tube therebetween, two.pairs of triangular leveraonelever ofeachpair being at opposite sides of the plates, finger bars connectingone of the apexes of each of the two levers at one side of the pressureplatesto the corresponding, apexes of the two lovers at the other sideof the pressure plates, another apex of'one pair of levers beingpivotally connected to the lower end of one of the pressure plates, another apex of the other. pair of levers being pivotally connected to the,lower end of theother pressure plate, the remaining apex of, the leversof; each pair being connee-te a arin wh ch. s. ad pted to. enga e. d f rm a ain t the. ack f the pressure. plate, to the lower end of which, thelevers of the other p ar n e ted. so. that when. the two. fi e bars are.pr ss d: w rds. ea h. ther then ure la es w ll roll. on, each. other as.their lower, endsclose towa ds each her. and a op.

onthe back, of each, pressure plate adapted to; engage the, lower edge.of the bearing rod; so as.

to, limit the. extent. to which the lower ends of he pr ssu e plates.can. spread apart- A, dispensing dev ce, for; collapsible tubescnmprising apa r. o curved pressure plates dis? posed face to face andarranged to receive a collapsible tube therebetween, two pairs oftriangular levers, one lever of each pair being at opposite sides of theplates, finger bars connecting one of the apexes of each of the twolevers at one side of the pressure plates to the corresponding apexes ofthe two levers at the other side of the pressure plates, another apex ofone pair of levers being pivotally connected to the lower end of one ofthe pressure plates, another apex of the other pair oflevers beingpivotally connected to the lower end of the other pressure plate, theremaining apex of the levers of each pair fulcruming against thepressure plate to the lower end of which the levers of the other pairare connected, so that when the finger bars are pressed towards eachother the lower ends of the pressure plates close towards each other tocollapse the tube therebetween, and a spring connecting the two pressureplates at a point above the region where the bearing rods fulcrumagainst the pressure plates, the said spring being adapted to normallyurge the upper ends and therefore the lower ends apart.

6. .A dispensing device for collapsible tubes comprising a pair ofcurved pressure plates disposed face to face and arranged to receive acollapsible tube therebetween, two pairs of triangular levers, one leverof each pair being at opposite sides of the plates, fingers barsconnecting one of the apexes of each of the two levers at one side ofthe pressure plates to the corresponding apexes of the two levers at theother side of the pressure plates, another apex of one pair of leversbeing pivotally connected to the lower end of one of the pressureplates, another apex of the other pair of levers being pivotallyconnected to the lower end of the other pressure plate, the remainingapex of the levers of each pair fulcruming against the pressure plate tothe lower end of which the levers of the other pair are connected, sothat when the finger bars are pressed towards each other the lower endsof the pressure plates close towards each other to collapse the tubetherebetween, an indexing rod secured to each pressure plate andextending transversely thereof beyond at least one side thereof, acarriage at each side of the pressure plates having therein two spacedapart apertures in which the ends of the indexing rods are looselymounted and by which the pressure plates are connected to the carriage,indexing bars on which each carriage is adapted to travel, and a casingto which the indexing bars are secured.

'7. A dispensing device for collapsible tubes comprising a pair ofcurved pressure plates disposed face to face and arranged to receive acollapsible tube therebetween, two pairs of triangular levers, one leverof each pair being at opposite sides of the plates, finger barsconnecting one of the apexes of each of the two levers at one side ofthe pressure plates to the corresponding apexes of the two. levers atthe other side of the pressure plates, another apex of one pair oflevers being pivotally connected to the lower end of one of the pressureplates, another apex of the other pair of levers being pivotallyconnected to the lower end of the other pressure plate, the remainingapex of the levers of each pair fulcruming against the pressure plate tothe lower end of which the levers of the other pair are connected, sothat when the finger bars are pressed towards each other the lower endsof the pressure plates close towards each other to collapse the tubetherebetween, an indexing rod secured to each 10 pressure plate andextending transversely thereof beyond at least one side thereof, acarriage at each side of the pressure plates having therein two spacedapart apertures in which the ends of the indexing rods are looselymounted and by which the pressure plates are connected to the carriages,notched indexing bars on'which each carriage is adapted to travel, andindexing springs secured to the carriages and adapted to engage thenotches of the indexing bars thereby frictionally retaining the carriagein its various indeXed positions.

8. A dispensing device for collapsible tubes comprising a pair of curvedpressure plates disposed face to face and arranged to receive acollapsible tube therebetween, two pairs of triangular levers, one leverof each pair being at opposite sides of the plates, finger barsconnecting one of the apexes of each of the two levers at one side ofthe pressure plates to the corresponding apexes of the two levers at theother side of the pressure plates, another apex of one pair of leversbeing pivotally connected to the lower end of one of the pressureplates, another apex of the other pair of levers being pivotallyconnected to the lower end of the other pressure plate, the remainingapex of the levers of each pair fulcruming against the pressure plate tothe lower end of which the levers of the other pair are connected, sothat when the finger bars are pressed towards each other the lower endsof the pressure plates close towards each other to collapse the tubetherebetween, an indexing rod secured to each pressure plate andextending transversely thereof beyond at least one side thereof, acasing, indexing bars secured to the casing, and a carriage at each sideof the pressure plates adapted to travel on one of the indexing bars,each carriage having therein two spaced apart apertures in which theends of the indexing rods are loosely mounted and by which the pressureplates are connected to the carriage, the indexing bars having on theiroperative edges an elevated portion with which the indexing rods engagewhen the pressure plates are at their lowermost position in the casing,the said elevated portions limiting the extent to which the indexingrods of each pressure plate may approach each other and thus preventingthe pressure plates from closing against each other beyond apredetermined limit when they are at their lowermost position in thecasing.

9. A dispensing device for collapsible tubes comprising a pair of curvedpressure plates disposed face to face and arranged to receive acollapsible tube therebetween, two pairs of triangular levers, one leverof each pair being at opposite sides of the plates, finger barsconnecting one of the apexes of each of the two levers at one side ofthe pressure plates to the corresponding apex of the two levers at theother side of the pressure plates, another apex of one pair of leversbeing pivotally connected to the lower end of one of thepressure'plates, another apex of the other pair of levers being,pivotally connected to the lower end of the other pressure plate, theremaining apex of the levers of each pair fulcruming against thepressure plate to the lower end of which the levers of the other pairare connected, so that when the finger bars are pressed towards eachother the lower ends of the pressure plates close towards each other tocollapse the tube therebetween, an indexing rod secured to each pressureplate and extending transversely thereto beyond at least one sidethereof, a casing, notched indexing'bars secured to the casing, and acarother to collapse the tube therebetween, the pressure plates havingon their inner face at their lower edge a ridge adapted to grip theshoulder of the tube to prevent the plates from slipping on the tube andsliding back when the plates attempt to collapse the tube around theregion of the firm shoulder.

ELOF F. OLSEN.

REFERENCES CITED Number 14 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Clegg Sept.2, 1924 Bishop et al Nov. 9, 1926 Bishop et a1 Jan. 29, 1929 Lawton Feb.3, 1931 Prick Feb. 17, 1931 Glaser Oct. 11, 1932 Mills May 23, 1933Brehm June 26, 1934 Johnner July 16, 1935 Spenser Oct. 28, 1941

